Christmas Day 2011

What a great Christmas we had here in Jamesville, NC, it was wonderful to be home in Martin County! The twins are at such a great age to enjoy time with all of our family, of course they enjoy the presents, and this year they were old enough to understand the message of Christmas that we tried to reiterate each night in an advent activity; that Jesus' birthday is why we celebrate. It was great watching them enjoy all of the activities of the holiday. Christmas morning certainly felt like magic to me. The twins were excited to see all the gifts they received. They were most excited about the simplest things, bubbles and a whistle. We enjoyed a family breakfast with Grandma and Joe-Joe and then headed to Piney Grove to celebrate with our church family. After church we enjoyed having Grandma, Joe-Joe, Mima and Papa over for a beautiful Christmas feast. I have to admit, I got a little teary thinking about all of the people I wish were here to celebrate with us, but just as teary due to the overwhelming gratitude in my heart for those that are still here. We are a truly blessed family! We had a great Christmas and made many sweet memories. I think one of my favorite things from the morning was when Berkley looked around the room at all of his presents, he stopped, took a deep breath and just shouted, "thank you." I love that he has a heart of gratitude at such a young age. After a much needed Christmas day nap, we headed to Steven's mom and dad's house to celebrate with his immediate family. It was so much fun to see the twins rip into their gifts and they kept asking for more! It was even more fun to see them goof off with their cousins, Hutch and McKinley. After that we headed to G-Dot's house for the Manning Christmas. Woo, it's a house full, but oh so fun:) Steven's Uncle Bill made the twins a see-saw, how cool is that?!

I think my favorite gifts that we gave this holiday season was a handprint calendar to Steven's G-Dot and Pen-Pen; it has a hand painted hand print from the twins for each month of the year. For January we have handprint snowmen, for February a handprint heart, etc. I also loved giving Steven a framed portrait of his article that ECU did that was run in the local Enterprise, this will look great in his office. And of course I love giving my mom her photo calendar, which she's gotten each Christmas for at least 5 years now. And this is the 2nd year I've given Steven's folks a photo book of pictures of them with the twins throughout the year. I just love pictures that you can cherish for years to come:)

These are a little grainy, but it's a Christmas memory nonetheless.

Our New Jumpy House

Some friends from church called to see if we'd be interested in a jumpy house for the twins, their kids had grown out of it. We happily accepted and as you see, our kids love it! Thanks Ward family! May the fun continue:)


Here is Meredith's tackling face. Berkley better look out when she gets this look on her face.

Here's Berkley trying to look cool for any toddler ladies passing by. He wants them to check out the new jumping pad.

Enjoying our Gifts

I really have to make time to go through my pictures from Christmas and write a Christmas day post, but for now, here are a few pictures that I love from the past few days.

Little Miss train conductor. All Aboard!
Future Farmer Berkley

The Super Hero marching band. They literally insist on marching around the house in their new capes and masks marching and playing their new whistles. For those parents out there, who needs the "Fresh Beat Band" when you could have these guys?

Here's Berkley on his new scooter. Meredith got one too, and yes, we got helmets last night. They do an amazingly good job on them and as you can see from Berkley's face, they like them a lot!

Christmas Eve 2011

Woo, I'm tired. It's been a busy day indeed, but it's been filled with wonderful family and friends. We celebrated Christmas with Steven's mom's family, Pen-Pen today. We have so much fun at Pen-Pen's house each year playing a gift swap game as well as trying to find a pickle ornament that Pen-Pen hides which is wrapped with $10. Sadly, we didn't find the pickle this year, but my 7 year old niece was mighty thrilled when she found it. We love these simple traditions that make our brief time together so memorable year after year. Berkley and Meredith worked hard playing with their older cousin Emma; the three of them must have run around the living room a few hundred times and they never seemed to tire out. A highlight of our time today was Steven's dad bringing his horses to Pen-Pen's. We all loaded up and went riding around the neighborhood wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. It was awesome!We began our evening activities at Tice Cemetery. I know, it probably sounds a bit strange that we would choose to be at a cemetery on Christmas Eve, but it really is a special time. Folks come together to light a luminary candle on each grave in the cemetery, this is quite a sight to behold. Then we have a little service including a brief sermon by a local pastor, songs, and prayer. It's an opportunity for us all to remember those whom we love who have passed on and a beautiful reminder that they (and we all) have hope for eternal life in Christ if we believe. What better time of year to remember what Christ brings to all those who believe? I had the honor of singing O Holy Night this year, which was particularly precious to me since losing my dad. That was followed by a horse drawn carriage ride to Steven's mom and dad's church for a candlelight Christmas Eve service. It was a perfect ending to Christmas Eve night and introduction to Christmas day. Meredith and Berkley were absolutely pooped tonight, but I think they're pretty excited about celebrating Jesus' birthday tomorrow and seeing what kind of surprises will be waiting for them in the morning.

Celebrating

We kicked off the Christmas weekend today with time with our Nana. We're so blessed to spend another Christmas with Nana, especially considering that last year she was horribly sick. Nana enjoyed watching the twins open the gifts she'd given them and vise versa. Meredith even serenaded Nana with Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Then tonight we had the "Griffin family Christmas." It was certainly different this year, considering my dad isn't with us and it was in Jamesville instead of Farm Life. A dear friend, who also lost her husband this year, gave my mother a gift to open with the family. We opened it together and it was an ornament and a story about "my first Christmas in Heaven," written from the perspective of my dad and this family friend. Tears were shed. I miss my dad so much. I miss who he was before he was ravaged by Huntington's Disease. I grieve that he never got to enjoy his grandchildren, especially during this special season. I miss how he always made Christmas special. But, it's so comforting to know that he is celebrating WITH the man who was once a baby in the little town of Bethlehem. He is witnessing Christ being worshiped at the great throne in Heaven. He is hearing the angels cry, "holy, holy, holy!" That's a celebration indeed!

Wordless Wednesday

Story Time

Today was our first story time at Martin Memorial Library. We've wanted to attend since they began having it this fall, but with the kids in preschool on Tuesday mornings, it has been impossible. Needless to say, the twins had a fabulous time! It was amazing to watch them interact with the story teller and with the other children. They weren't shy at all and didn't even hesitate when asked to hold other kids' hands when playing ring around the rosy. Ms. Heather did an awesome job with the time and I hope we'll get to return in the future!

Cowboy Craze

Meredith shouting, "Yee Haw!"
Berkley holding the reigns of his horse
I've got to get them some boots

December 14th 2011

Yes, I know this picture of me, my sister and dad is not a recent picture. And there are a million grown-up pictures of her I could have chosen to post today. But when I looked back on this photo it just reminded me of what I miss most about my sister, I miss having the person I shared my entire life with until the day she died. I miss making new memories with her. I miss talking about the past and I miss the future that we never had. Today marks 8 years since my sister's death. It's unreal to think I haven't seen her in 8 years!!! I've been very comforted by my friends and family who have reached out to say they haven't forgotten Meredith and that they love me and my family. Thanks everyone for keeping her memory alive! She was so special to so many. We all miss you Meredith!
And here's my little Meredith and Berkley with our friend Noel during a play date today. Noel and the twins are 6 months apart and grew up together at our church in Greenville until we moved. This is our first time seeing Noel in 6 months ( I can't believe that ). The twins had a great time playing with their old friend and the mommies had a pretty good time catching up as well:)
And here's a great picture of Meredith wearing her new cowboy hat, well actually, it's Berkley's cowboy hat, but we couldn't find hers at the moment. Anyway, she's pretty stinkin' adorable in this picture, so I couldn't resist posting it. Note the awesome little Christmas apron as well. I wish I could've captured Berkley a little earlier; he was wearing the black cowboy hat, Christmas apron, and some play pink high heel shoes. Am, that picture would've been blackmail for the future.

Your First Little Christmas Party

Berkley and Meredith have been attending a "Mother's Day Out" program 2 mornings a week at Memorial Baptist Church in Williamston since August and have learned so much in the these last 5 months. They absolutely adore going to school. I wish you all could hear Berkley greet his teachers as he runs into his classroom with eyes shining and a giant "hey" in the thickest southern accent each morning. This morning was their class Christmas party and my first opportunity to serve the class by helping set-up. It was so great getting to be there to see the twins interact with their friends and to get a little taste of what their days must be like in the classroom. Here are a few sweet pictures from the morning. They are all so precious!

Mouths covered in red from the juice. They were so excited about the red juice. It looks like Berkley is telling a good joke to his classmates.
The students sang us a few songs and played instruments for the parents. Here's Berkley and Meredith finishing up "If You're Happy and You Know It." Meredith is very happy as you can see:)

Wordless Wednesday

The Christmas Celebrations Begin

Berkley and Meredith, what a busy couple of weeks we have had as a family. You were in your first Christmas parade last week, it was the Williamston parade and you rode with mama and daddy on the Martin General Hospital float. You were both very patient, as we waited 30 minutes on the float before we finally started rolling. Meredith, you sat with mama and you waved at people and shouted Merry Christmas for the first half of the parade, but then suddenly you turned to me and said anxiously, "I NEED to suck my thumb." You took your mitten off, sucked that thumb and there was no more waving after that. Berkley, you sat with daddy and had a giant, bright smile on your face the whole time as you waved and shouted Christmas greetings to everyone. It was a great memory!

We attended the Jamesville Christmas parade on Saturday morning. The fire truck sirens got a little loud at times, especially for you Meredith, you have always been very sensitive to loud noises, but overall, I'd say you guys had a great time. Every car that drove by saw you two little ones in your stroller and threw you lots of candy. All of grandma's friends came over and oohed and aahed at you two. We even had the chance to go inside Papa Tee Wee's store, The Friendly Grocery. A new store owner has refurbished it and this was grandma's first time seeing it. Grandma cried and so did mama. It was great to see how beautiful that treasured store has become and we know that Papa Tee Wee would be so happy that Jamesville can enjoy it again.

Here are you and Grandma standing outside Papa Tee Wee's store this Saturday, and the picture below that is of Papa Tee Wee and Nana before they were married. They fell in love while Papa Tee Wee was working at the Friendly Grocery and Nana was working at a store across the street. The story goes that anytime Papa Tee Wee saw Nana outside sweeping the stoop of her store, he'd decide it was time to sweep outside the Friendly Grocery. This kept on until Papa Tee Wee swept Nana right off of her feet!
And then on Sunday night our family, including grandma, participated in Piney Grove's hanging of the greens ceremony. Our family was given the stars to hang on the Christmas tree. It was a night of reflection on what our decorations and ornaments truly represent; things like the evergreen tree that represent the everlasting life of Christ, the red poinsettia which reminds us of the blood of Christ, and the star that reminds us of the glorious star in the heavens that lit the way for the three wise men to worship the Christ child. It was a beautiful sight to see you two hanging ornaments with grandma and daddy as I sang "Silent Night." This Christmas is going to be very special. You two are noticing all the bright lights, decorations, and music. You know there is something special about this time of year. I hope that Daddy and I will do a good job of teaching you that Christmas is all about celebrating the greatest gift the world every received, God coming to earth as a child who would one day sacrifice himself on the cross so that those who love Him could have eternal life. Berkley and Meredith, it is so much fun celebrating this special season with you both, our two precious gifts!

Here are some pictures we took after the "Hanging of the Greens" ceremony

Party at the Mannings'

We love to party in the Manning home and celebrating my brother's birthday is a great reason to bring on the cake and presents! Yesterday was Joey's, aka "Joe-Joe's" birthday, but today was the PAR-TAY! Celebrations are so much fun with the twins this year; they sing, they get excited about presents, and they love to make you feel special. We had a Star Wars themed party for Joey. I just decided that you're never too grown-up to celebrate Star Wars style.

Happy birthday Joe-Joe, you are such a wonderful Uncle to my twins and you know how wonderful you are to me. I'm your biggest fan...well, maybe I was until Berkley and Meredith came along. I don't mind playing second fiddle to them. We ALL love you!!!
I know the twins aren't looking at the camera in this photo, but I love how it captured them in the moment. They are happy to be with their Joe-Joe (and to be sitting on the table)!
Here's the twins' first signature; scribbled crayon and Star Wars stickers to personalize the message. Got to love it!

Their Own Park

Number 1: How blessed are we to have such amazing parents/in-laws? Really! I am so blessed to have such a great relationship with Steven's parents. We are fortunate to live so close to them. My children absolutely ADORE their Mima and Papa and they couldn't have two greater role models to look up to. Number 2: How blessed are we that they found this amazing playground to give to the twins for Christmas? What a special gift indeed. The twins LOVE going to the park and now they have one in their own backyard! You should have seen Berkley and Meredith when we drove up to the house after preschool to find Papa sitting in the driveway with this in the yard. I don't know what they were most excited about; the playground or Papa being there. There was a lot of giddy shouting out the window and I couldn't get them out of their car seats fast enough. Meredith bravely went right down the slide, but Berkley was a little more cautious. They love swinging, but they wouldn't let me help them at all, it had to be Papa. Then Mima came and she was the icing on the cake! Meredith was so excited, she said that she was going to take a nap and then play some more. I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time at this "park" as they call it. Fun times in the Manning home!

Tricycle Time

My little girl has learned to ride a tricycle all by herself! Her interest sparked earlier in the week and she has been getting on the tricycle daily, trying to learn how to pedal. Well, today was the day that she got it! I'm so proud of you Meredith! Berkley has been trying as well, but he is much more impatient than Meredith and tends to just give up and start pushing with his feet. I'm sure that watching his little sister ride around will quickly entice him to keep trying. In the mean time, this is what he's doing while she's riding...playing baseball as he calls it. I know it's a grainy picture, but I couldn't resist posting his great swing.

Campfire Memories

The twins spent the night with Mima and Papa last night to give me time to cook for our church fall bazaar, which is being held tomorrow. Well, I went to pick them up this evening and lo and behold, what do I find? I find them sitting outside at a glowing fire pit, cooking stew over the fire. The twins were each sitting in a grandparents lap and were perfectly content with their Mima and Papa. It was a precious little sight to behold. I'm so thankful for Steven's parents and how they're always looking for special ways to make memories with my little ones. I hope they'll always remember sitting by the fire with their Mima and Papa!

November 13th We Celebrate GRANDMA!

It's been a special weekend in the Manning home, a weekend full of celebration for Grandma because it's her birthday!!! We've eaten yummy food, even yummier cakes (yes, that's an "s" on cake, we had 2 cakes), we've sung, given lots of hugs, and even cried a little bit. I can honestly say that I'm one of the most blessed women in the world to have a mother whom I love so dearly. Words can't express my respect for my mom and the thankfulness in my heart towards her for all she has given to me throughout my life. I'm so thankful that God handpicked her to be my mama and my children's grandmother. Goodness, how Berkley and Meredith love their Grandma! Happy birthday Grandma (Mama)!

All Grandma really wanted for her birthday was time with Berkley and Meredith and we gave her plenty of that. The first words out of their mouths this morning when they saw her at church were, "Happy birthday Grandma" and that was without having to tell them to say anything.

Grandma let Berkley and Meredith help blow out the birthday candles. Luckily, we kept it just out of Berkley's reach, but he tried to grab some of that icing.

Here's Grandma's gift from everyone. We framed a beautiful picture of my dad in his farming prime along with the remarkable poem that my brother wrote for him called, "A Farmer's Faith." She loved it!

Veteran's Day 2011

Today was a first in Martin County, they held their first Veteran's Day Parade. Berkley and Meredith had the privilege of riding in Papa's horse cart for the parade and they were two very happy grand kids. They were both so proud to wave their little flags. I don't know the words to express my gratitude to all those veterans past and present who have defended our freedom. Thank you and your families for the sacrifices made on our behalf!

Mommy and Grandma close at hand to take lots of pictures and cheer on our little ones

Meredith with cousin, McKinley

Hutch and friends with Berkley